Sewing machine cabinet



April 14, 1959 Y E. G. JACKsoN sEwING MACHINE CABINET Filed March 12. 1956 fl y 27 y E Lwamd GI Jackson l JNVENToR.

BY 29W@ ATTORNEY.

United States Patent() This invention relates to cabinets, and it has particular reference to a novel design of cabinet rfor sewing machines of the portable type wherein the cabinet can readily enclose the machine in stored position while affording a convenientwork surface in connection with its use, and the principal object of the invention resides in the provision of a permanent furnishing capable of use as a table for a variety of uses while providing storage and use facilities for a conventional type of portable sewing machine.

It is an object of the invention to provide a mounting cabinet for portable sewing machines conventionally referred to as the open arm type which has, in addition to its base, an arm extending thereabove and parallel thereto for a variety of stitching operations, such as mending sleeves of garments, hosiery, and similarly formed articles and parts of clothing, and afford means for supporting such machines in proper workable positions not readily attainable when using the machines on common tables, and other supporting devices.

Another object of the invention is that of providing an attractive and economical cabinet which has features of construction by which, when it is desirable to temporarily dispose of the machine, it can be readily and easily folded into the top of the cabinet and completely enclosed, -both for the protection of the machine and for appearance.

Broadly, the invention contemplates the provision of a cabinet in which is embodied a special receptacle for a portable sewing machine from which the latter can be readily removed at will while also providing a permanent support therefor and an adequate working surface when the machine is to `be operated.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of the invention showing the work leaf extended and illustrating the supporting frame in the top in raised position preparatory for folding inwardly.

Figure 2 is a perspective illustration of the invention showing the sewing machine mounted therein in operative position, and

Figure 3 is a perspective illustration of the invention in which the sewing machine is folded thereinto and showing the same in dotted lines.

Accordingly, the invention comprises a cabinet structure 10 providing an enclosure comprising a top 11, legs 12, end panels 13 and 14, and a hinged front panel 15. The top 11 has an opening 16 therein which is generally rectangular in form and has a U-shaped frame 17 hingedly arranged therein, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The yframe 17 has drop flanges 18 and 19 along each side which depend perpendicularly when the frame 17 is folded into the top 11 in the manner shown in Figure 2.

Attached to the lower edge of each of the anges 18 vCC and 19 is a panel 20 which is parallel to the surface of the frame 17 and spaced therebelow defining a compartment 21 forthe base 22 of a sewing machine 23 shown in position in Figure 2 and seated for operation, the frame 17 providing a part of the work surface with the top 11 of the cabinet. Supporting the forward edge 24 of the frame 17, and also forming a part of the work surface with the top l11, s a strip 25 which is hinged along its forward edge along the inner `front edge 26 of thetop 11, as shown in Figures l and'2.

The 'ame 17 has an opening 27 formed therein contoured to conform to the shape of the -base 22 of the sewing machine 23, having a narrow portion 28 at its inner end, Haring outwardly toward-its open portion 29, as apparent in Figure 1. Spaced lbelow the frame 17, and attached to each of the flanges 18 and 19, are cleats 30 and 31 which 'slidably-receive the edges of the lbase 22 of the machine "23and therefore support the same in the operative position shown in Figure 2, or in the reclined position shwn .in dotted lines in .l Figure 3 in which the machine 23 is enclosed in the cabinet.

The cabinet 10 has a cover panel 32 hinged thereon at one end to extend outwardly in the same plane therewith when extended outwardly, providing an additional work surface, as shown in Figures l and 2. In Figure 3 the cover panel 32 is folded over the closed machine 23 which is shown in dotted lines. In this illustration the cabinet 10 has the appearance of an attractive table.

The frame hinges 33 are especially designed to permit the movement of this member both upwardly and downwardly, and have portions 34, operating in slots 35, enabling the machine 23 to 'be removed from the frame 17 when desired. The hinges 33 are of conventional design.

It is to be understood that the invention herein shown and described is designed primarily for use with the portable type of sewing machine, and particularly the open arm type which, when the arm is employed, can be supported on the top of the frame 17, or by removing the machine from the latter, folding the frame 17 into position in the top 11 of the cabinet, and seating the machine so that the base of the machine is spaced above the surface of the cabinet top 11.

Certain changes and modifications of the invention can be resorted to from time to time, by persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination with a portable sewing machine having a base and an open arm positioned parallel to the base and spaced above it, a cabinet comprising a rectangular, planar top supported upon legs and having an opening formed therein, a partial closure for the opening consisting of a substantially U-shaped frame pivotally connected along one of its legs to the top adjacent the rearward side of the opening, the frame having a cut out portion, beginning at one end thereof, having an outline corresponding to that of the upper surface of the open arm and the head of the machine, means carried by the frame capable of slidably and removably supporting the machine at such elevation that the upper surface of the open arm lies in the same horizontal plane as the top, a partial closure for the opening consisting of a panel pivotally connected to the top adjacent the forward side of the opening and capable of supporting the forward side of the frame when in closed position, and a leaf pivotally connected to one side of the top and forming an extension thereof, the leaf being capable of being folded over the top to provide a cover therefor.

2. Apparatus as described in claim l in which the frame is capable of being raised pivotally above the top 3 and thereafter lowered belowA it, after iirst raising the panel supporting its forward side, and the machine is movable longitudinally, to disengage it from its support, when the frame is in its raised position.

3. In combination with a portable sewing machine havingl a base and an open arm positioned parallel to the base and spaced abovey it, a cabinet comprising a reci tangular', planar top providing a work surface and having a generally rectangular opening therein, two pairs of legs supporting the top at its corners, a pair of end panels each connected at its ends to the legs of one pair, a front panel connected by hinges to one of the legs, a frame consisting of a generally rectangular' planar member pivotally connected along one oli-its edges to the rearward side of the openings in' the top and normally lying in the same horizontal plane as the top and forming a partial closure for the opening and a continuation of the work surface, the frame having a cut out portion, beginning at one end thereof, having anoutline corresponding to that of the upper surface of the open arm and the head of the machine, a pair of flanges positioned on opposite sides of the frame and depending therefrom, a panel attached to the lower edges of the flanges and forming the bottom of a compartment for the base of the ma chine, cleats on the flanges slidably engaging the edges of the base of the machine and normally supporting the machine at such elevation that the upper surface of the open arm lies in the same horizontal plane as the top, a relatively narrow planar member pivotally connected along one of its edges to the forward side of the opening in the top and normally lying in the same horizontal plane as the top and forming a partial closure for the opening and a continuation of the work surface, the last mentioned planar member normally supporting the forward side of the frame, and a rectangular cover panel pivotally connected along one of its edges to one end of the top and normally lying in the same horizontal plane as the top.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,247,380 Hohmann July 1, 1941 2,409,758 Hohman Oct. 22, 1946 2,543,029 Kasler Feb. 27, 1951 2,673,776 Barnhart Mar. 30, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 509,347 Belgium t- Mar. 15, 1952 

